Growing In Faith Through Knowing Jesus – A Study of 2 Peter 1

Growing in Faith Through Knowing Jesus

I. Introduction

A. Context of 2 Peter

Author: Peter (Simeon Peter)

Date: Around 64 AD, shortly before Peter’s death

Audience: Possibly the same as 1 Peter (speculative)

Occasion: Farewell address

Purpose: Combat false teaching, emphasize the return of Christ

B. Central Theme: God provides everything for life and godliness

II. The Foundation: Knowledge of Jesus

A. Definition: ἐπίγνωσις (epígnōsis) – full discernment and acknowledgment

B. True vs. False Knowledge

False teachers claimed “knowledge” (possibly proto-Gnostic)

Peter only attributes true knowledge to knowing Christ

C. Key Verse: 2 Peter 1:2 – Grace and peace through knowledge of God and Jesus

III. God’s Divine Provision

A. Divine power gives all we need (v.3)

B. God’s promises allow us to:

Share in the divine nature

Escape corruption and evil desires

C. Entry into divine community through the Holy Spirit

IV. The Growth Process: Spiritual Virtues (vv. 5–7)

A. Faith as the foundation

B. Add to your faith: Goodness, Knowledge, Self-control, Endurance, Godliness, Brotherly affection, Love (agape)

C. Key Ideas:

Growth is intentional and requires effort.

We are empowered, but must partner with God

V. The Evidence of Growth (v.8)

A. Spiritual maturity keeps us from being:

Useless (ἀργός – inactive, idle)

Unfruitful (ἄκαρπος – barren)

B. Fruitfulness reflects increasing knowledge of Christ

C. Warning against busyness that lacks fruit
 

VI. The Danger of Stagnation (v.9)

A. Lacking growth leads to:

Spiritual blindness

Forgetting Christ’s cleansing work

Drifting away from gratitude and purpose

VII. Confirming Your Calling and Election (vv.10–11)

A. Make every effort to confirm calling

B. Divine invitation and participation in God’s plan

C. Balance of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility

D. Assurance of eternal reward: Entry into the eternal kingdom

VIII. Conclusion

A. Spiritual growth is a lifelong, active process

B. God empowers us—but we must respond with intentional effort

C. Growing in Christ leads to stability, fruitfulness, and eternal hope

IX. Additional Scriptures:

Psalm 1:1-3, Matthew 7:13-20, John 15:5, John 17:3, Romans 8:16-17, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:15-16. Philippians 1:6, Colossians 2:2-3, Hebrews 10:24-25